The Divine Detective Zheng Kaiming (Part 2)

Shi Tiexin finished practicing his cultivation technique for three laps on the training ground and then stopped. His internal organs had reached their limit. The rapid refinement of food by his stomach and intestines came at a cost; he couldn't overdraft it indefinitely, as that would damage his foundation. Moreover, in just this short time, he had refined three wisps of primal vital energy, and his body needed some time to adapt.

The three wisps of primal vital energy drifted like a thin mist in his lower abdomen, invisible and intangible. But when Shi Tiexin clenched his fist, he could feel that his spirit, energy, and vitality were indeed much stronger than before. Of course, eating a full meal was better than being hungry. However, after refining primal vital energy, his physical strength would be more abundant, and his energy more vigorous than after a normal meal.

It was as if his body had been an empty shell before, and now something was being filled inside, making him feel full from the inside out.

This process would become more apparent as it progressed. Once he accumulated a hundred wisps of primal vital energy, he could break through to the next stage of Essence Storing. He calculated that it would only take about ten days to accumulate all one hundred wisps.

However, primal vital energy dissipated easily. If he engaged in intense combat, if his food energy replenishment was insufficient, or even if he simply had an emotional outburst and gasped for air like an ox, the primal vital energy would dissipate. This was an energy extremely close to the essence of human physical capacity; it was easy to refine but also easy to convert back into physical strength.

Therefore, the theoretical time for Essence Storing and the actual time could differ greatly. Especially at Tumubao Orphanage, where conflict and fighting were constant, Shi Tiexin theoretically could have completed Essence Storing in seventy days, but in reality, it took him over a year to truly finish the first round of Essence Storing.

Now, at Fengming First High School, the food and living conditions were good. After dealing with Teng Chaoguo, it also served as a warning to others. As the saying goes, one punch can ward off a hundred blows. Now, in the vast Fengming First High School, any troublemaker who wanted to cause him trouble would have to consider the consequences of "Urine-Soaked Phoenix Claws" and weigh their own capabilities.

So, even external conflicts could be considered basically settled now.

With such good cultivation conditions, this was truly the first time in his life that Old Tie had encountered something like this. It truly lived up to its reputation as a sacred land for cultivation!

Shi Tiexin was full, satisfied, and refreshed. He was contemplating in his mind whether to attend class in the afternoon or go out and "pick up jobs" to prepare for skipping school. After all, his only focus now was the elementary Heart Arts secret manual. If he could resolve it quickly, he could also begin true Heart Arts cultivation sooner.

Being in a sacred land for Heart Arts, it would be a great loss not to improve his Heart Arts cultivation.

Just then, Shi Tiexin saw a student appear in his field of vision, walking towards him with a clear objective. He didn't recognize the person, but the student wore a conspicuous and familiar red armband.

It was a bloodhound from the Discipline Committee.

"You're Shi Tiexin, right?" the Discipline Committee student said straightforwardly. "Come with me. We're going to the Dean of Students' office. Director Zheng wants to see you."

Director Zheng? Isn't that the guy with the big square head? Why is he looking for me? Could it be that he wants to check if I'm living and eating well in the Trash Class dormitory?

If I can't figure it out, I won't think about it. Shi Tiexin nodded and said the same two words: "Lead the way."

Ding-a-ling, the class bell rang, and the entire school immediately fell silent. The Discipline Committee student led Shi Tiexin through the office building. The soles of their shoes echoed on the floor, creating an empty resonance.

The Discipline Committee student glanced at Shi Tiexin behind him and muttered to himself. Normally, if the Dean of Students wanted to see someone, they would just announce it over the school broadcast and let the person come on their own. He wondered what kind of trouble this kid had gotten into that required the Discipline Committee to personally apprehend him. It must be something significant.

But seeing how calm and collected this kid was, he really couldn't quite figure him out.

The students in the Trash Class were a relatively closed-off circle. The topics that the troublemakers chattered about were things that the academically gifted students disdained to understand, likely just foolish talk. As a student from the Key Class, the Discipline Committee member hadn't heard about the incident with Teng Chaoguo and didn't know that Shi Tiexin was being brought in for it.

However, if he couldn't figure him out, he wouldn't overthink it. The Discipline Committee student simply led Shi Tiexin to the location, knocked on the door, announced their arrival, and then said to Shi Tiexin, "You can go in."

Shi Tiexin pushed the door open and entered the Dean of Students' office. The interior was simply furnished and had a serious style, making one feel an omnipresent pressure the moment they entered. But how could such a display move Shi Tiexin? Or rather, he couldn't move even if he wanted to; he couldn't force an expression. Therefore, he maintained his resolute and fearless demeanor, looking straight ahead.

Zheng Kaiming sat in his chair, scrutinizing Shi Tiexin from head to toe. He surprisingly found that Shi Tiexin had subtly changed. He couldn't pinpoint where the change was, but it seemed... he had more spirit and vitality? Sunlight streamed through the large window, illuminating Shi Tiexin's face, giving him a look of prominent brows, large eyes, and righteous dignity.

Zheng Kaiming observed the details of Shi Tiexin with keen and meticulous attention, trying to uncover the truth from these details. He saw that Shi Tiexin's gaze was direct and unwavering, his posture upright, like a pine tree and a crane. He showed neither unease nor affected behavior. Such a demeanor could only be achieved by someone with a firm conviction, a clear conscience, and strict self-discipline.

Such a student, no matter how you looked at him, was a model of an outstanding student. Would he really get into a fight with delinquent youths?

Zheng Kaiming began to doubt his own judgment, but he still had to give him a warning. Just like yesterday, they had clearly agreed to simply adjust his class placement, but he insisted on saying it was a forced expulsion—it was so much fun to scare students!

So, he deliberately put on a creepy, half-smiling expression. "Shi Tiexin, are you getting used to being in Class 28?"

Shi Tiexin, however, didn't notice Zheng Kaiming's sinister intentions. This smile was probably... due to a peculiar skull structure, and the way his facial muscles were arranged was likely also unusual. Perhaps he naturally looked like a bear when he smiled, and there was no malice intended. Yes, it must be like that.

Since it was natural, what was there to care about?

So, he really was here to inquire about his living situation. This teacher was quite good.

Therefore, Shi Tiexin opened his mouth with a calm expression. "It's alright."

"Alright? No, I don't think so. You made a big mistake on your first day in Class 28. Is that considered alright?" Zheng Kaiming said, carefully observing Shi Tiexin's expression. He tried to startle him to see if he could extract any real information, but he found Shi Tiexin looking confused.

He had been working with students for so long; he had seen all sorts of dramatic performances and could usually tell if someone was acting at a glance. But he was surprised to find that this Shi Tiexin seemed genuinely unaware of what he was talking about.

And in reality, Shi Tiexin truly didn't understand. He asked, "A big mistake?"

Huh? Made a big mistake? What big mistake did I make? Did I do anything wrong? No way, this sacred land for Heart Arts has so many rules, could I have made a mistake without knowing it?

Zheng Kaiming was starting to believe Shi Tiexin was innocent, but he decided to give it one last try. "Heh heh, stop pretending. You beat up Teng Chaoguo and four others, and even stuffed Teng Chaoguo into a... a urine bucket. Wasn't that you?"